Data communication adaptor

ABSTRACT

A data communication adaptor ( 1 ) is provided which includes a data inputting unit ( 63 ) for inputting data from a first information processing apparatus ( 3 ) and a data outputting unit ( 64 ) for outputting data to a second information processing apparatus ( 2 ). The data communication adaptor ( 1 ) further includes a memory ( 65 ) for storing a plurality of pieces of data which are inputted through the data inputting unit ( 63 ) and include data-discriminating information for discrimination from other data pieces, while also including a selector ( 66 ) for selecting the data satisfying a particular condition from the plurality of data pieces stored in the memory ( 65 ) based on the data-discriminating information, a data processor ( 68 ) for processing the data selected by the selector ( 66 ) and a controller ( 69 ) for controlling outputting of data through the data outputting unit ( 64 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a data communication adaptor which, inuse, is connected to two information processing apparatuses forprocessing data from one information processing apparatus and inputtingthe data to the other information processing apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

It is important for diabetics to regularly check their own blood glucoselevel for controlling the blood glucose level. However, it istroublesome to frequently visit a medical institution for measuring theblood glucose level. In light of this, portable handheld blood glucoselevel measuring apparatuses are used, whereby diabetics can easily andconveniently measure the blood glucose level even when they are awayfrom home, for example.

Basically such a portable blood glucose level measuring apparatus isused for controlling the blood glucose level by diabetics themselvesbased on the measurement results. However, even in such a case, it ispreferable to regularly receive professional instructions from a doctoror a specialist, for example. For receiving instructions, themeasurement results may need to be shown regularly to a specialist. Forthis purpose, a hard copy of the measurement data may need to be handedto the specialist, or the blood glucose level measuring apparatus mayneed to be brought to the medical institution to enable the specialistto access the data. After all, such methods also necessitate a visit tothe medical institution, which is troublesome.

To avoid the above trouble, the measurement data stored in the bloodglucose level measuring apparatus may be transmitted to a computer ofthe medical institution through telecommunication lines. However, atypical portable blood glucose level measuring apparatus does not havethe function for telecommunications. Therefore, the blood glucose levelmeasuring apparatus may be connected to a cell phone for inputting datainto the cell phone and transmitting the data to a computer of a medicalinstitution by e-mail, for example. To transmit the data stored in theblood glucose level measuring apparatus using the cell phone, dataprocessing such as conversion of the data format is necessary.Therefore, the blood glucose level measuring apparatus is connected tothe cell phone via a data communication adaptor capable of performingsuch data processing.

Generally, the portable blood glucose level measuring apparatus canstore a plurality of pieces of measurement data (e.g. 120 pieces) sothat the patient can observe the change of the measurement data.However, the portable blood glucose level measuring apparatus generallydoes not have the function of outputting particular pieces ofmeasurement data selected from the stored measurement data, oroutputting only new data without outputting old measurement data whichhas been outputted before. The cell phone does not have such a function,either. Therefore, when measurement data is to be transmitted using thecell phone, a large amount of data including those previouslytransmitted to the computer of the medical institution are inputted intothe cell phone and transmitted to the computer of the medicalinstitution. As a result, a relatively long time is taken fortransmitting the measurement data, which results in high communicationcharge.

Such a problem is not limited to the case where the data stored in theblood glucose level measuring apparatus is transmitted through the cellphone but occurs similarly in the case where data is transmitted from aninformation processing apparatus which does not have thetelecommunication function to another information processing apparatushaving the communication function.

As shown in FIG. 8, a data communication adaptor includes an adaptorbody 70, a first terminal 71 for connection to an output terminal 80 ofa blood glucose level measuring apparatus 8, and a second terminal 72for connection to an input terminal 90 of a cell phone 9. In theillustrated data communication adaptor 7, the first terminal 71 isconnected to the adaptor body 70 via a flexible cable 73. This structureis employed to provide elasticity (flexibility) between the datacommunication adaptor 7 and the blood glucose level measuring apparatus8 when the cell phone 9 and the blood glucose level measuring apparatus8 connected to each other via the data communication adaptor 7 areplaced on a desk, for example.

By connecting the first terminal 71 to the blood glucose level measuringapparatus 8 using the cable 73, the convenience in handling can beenhanced. However, when the adaptor is not in use, the cable 73extending out from the adaptor body 70 for connection to the firstterminal 71 makes it difficult to store the adaptor. Further, since aconductor portion 71 a of the first terminal 71 is always exposed, dustmay adhere to the conductor portion due to the generation of staticelectricity. When the first terminal 71 in such a state is connected tothe output terminal 80 of the blood glucose level measuring apparatus 8,the electric circuit of the blood glucose level measurement apparatus 8may be broken.

Such a problem is not limited to the case where the blood glucose levelmeasuring apparatus 8 and the cell phone 9 are connected via thecommunication adaptor 7 but occurs similarly in the case where other twoinformation processing apparatuses are connected via the communicationadaptor 7.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to reduce the time communicationcost required for data transmission when data inputted from aninformation processing apparatus is processed and transmitted throughanother information processing apparatus by telecommunications.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a datacommunication adaptor which can be conveniently stored when it is not inuse.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provideda data communication adaptor provided with data inputting unit forinputting data from a first information processing apparatus and a dataoutputting unit for outputting data to a second information processingapparatus. The adaptor further comprises a memory for storing aplurality of pieces of data inputted through the data inputting unit, aselector for selecting data satisfying a particular condition from thepieces of data stored in the memory, and a controller for controllingoutputting of data through the data outputting unit.

Each of the plurality of data pieces may include data-discriminatinginformation for discrimination from the others of the data pieces. Inthat case, the selector determines, based on the data-discriminatinginformation, whether or not the particular condition is satisfied.

For example, the first information processing apparatus may be aconcentration measuring apparatus for measuring the concentration of aparticular component in a biological sample, the apparatus being capableof storing a plurality of pieces of measurement data and collectivelyoutputting the plurality of measurement data pieces to the outside.

In this case, the plurality of measurement data pieces are stored in thememory.

For example, the concentration measuring apparatus may be a portableapparatus for measuring the glucose concentration in blood.

The data-discriminating information may be information specifying timeand date of measurement or order of measurement, for example. In thatcase, the particular condition is that the time and date of measurementare later than those of the measurement data previously outputted to thesecond information processing apparatus. The measurement data previouslyoutputted are stored in the memory, for example. At that time, theselector compares the plural pieces of measurement data stored in thememory with the previously outputted measurement data and selects, fromthe plural pieces of data, the data measured later than the previouslyoutputted data based on the data-discriminating information. In responseto this, the controller causes the data to be outputted to the secondinformation processing apparatus through the data outputting unit basedon the data selected by the selector.

Alternatively, the data-discriminating information may be a measurementvalue. In that case, the particular condition is that the measurementvalue is greater than a predetermined threshold value or smaller thanthe predetermined threshold value. The selector compares the measurementdata with the threshold value stored in the memory in advance, andselects the data whose value is greater than the threshold value orsmaller than the threshold value.

Preferably, the second information processing apparatus includes a datatransmitter. More preferably, the second information processingapparatus is a portable communication terminal (such as a cell phone ora PDA) for transmitting data through telecommunication lines.

When the second information processing apparatus has a data transmitter,it is preferable that the memory of the data communication adaptorstores identifying information for identifying a third informationprocessing apparatus to which the data is transmitted from the secondinformation processing apparatus. Preferably, the controller of the datacommunication adaptor instructs the data transmitter to determine thethird information processing apparatus corresponding to the identifyinginformation and to transmit the data to the third information processingapparatus when the data from the first information processing apparatusis inputted through the data inputting unit.

The second information processing apparatus may be capable oftransmitting data to a plurality of third information processingapparatuses and may store the addresses of the respective thirdinformation processing apparatuses. In that case, the controller of thedata communication adaptor instructs the data transmitter to select theaddress corresponding to the identifying information and to transmit thedata to the third information processing apparatus. Examples of theaddress include an e-mail address and a URL.

Preferably, the data communication adaptor further includes a dataprocessor for converting a data format to the format appropriate for thethird data processing apparatus determined by the controller. The dataprocessor may have a function to calculate the average value or thestandard deviation when a plurality of measurement data pieces areselected by the selector or a function to correct the measurement data.

Preferably, the data communication adaptor further includes anidentifying unit for identifying the first information processingapparatus, based on individual information allocated to the firstinformation processing apparatus and outputted from the firstinformation processing apparatus.

In this case, the memory stores a plurality of pieces of individualinformation. On the other hand, the identifying unit compares theindividual information outputted from the first information processingapparatus with the plurality of pieces of individual information storedin the memory to identify the first information processing apparatusbased on the comparison. The controller determines the third informationprocessing apparatus corresponding to the first information processingapparatus identified by the identifying unit and transmits data to thethird information processing apparatus.

For example, the controller instructs the memory to store the individualinformation outputted from the first information processing apparatuswhen the identifying unit determines that the individual informationoutputted from the first information processing apparatus is notincluded in the plurality of pieces of individual information stored inthe memory.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provideda data communication adaptor for interconnecting a first informationprocessing apparatus and a second information processing apparatus forinputting data into the second information processing apparatus based ondata from the first information processing apparatus. The adaptorcomprises an adaptor body, a first terminal for connection to the firstinformation processing apparatus and a second terminal for connection tothe second information processing apparatus. At least one of the firstterminal and the second terminal is connected to a cable and further tothe adaptor body. The adaptor body includes a storage section foraccommodating the terminal connected to the cable.

Preferably, the storage section includes a groove provided at theperiphery of the adaptor body for accommodating the cable. For example,the terminal connected to the cable includes a conductor pin. In thatcase, the storage section preferably includes an inserting portion intowhich the conductor pin is inserted.

The data communication adaptor may further comprise a detector fordetecting that the conductor pin is inserted into or pulled out of theinserting portion. In that case, power to the adaptor may beautomatically turned off when the detector detects that the conductorpin is inserted into the inserting portion, while it may be turned onwhen the detector detects that the conductor pin is pulled out of theinserting portion.

The terminal connected to the cable has a connecting portion to thecable, the connecting portion being covered with a protector having asectional area larger than that of the cable. In that case, the storagesection includes a first opening having a width corresponding to thesectional configuration of the cable and a second opening having a widthlarger than that of the first opening and corresponding to the sectionalconfiguration of the protector.

Also in this aspect, examples of first information processing apparatusinclude an apparatus for measuring the glucose concentration in blood.Examples of second information processing apparatus include a portablecommunication terminal (such as a cell phone or a PDA) for transmittingdata through telecommunication lines.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a data communication adaptorin use according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the data communication adaptor shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the data-communication adaptor shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the data communication adaptor shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along lines V-V in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the data communication adaptor illustratedtogether with a blood glucose level checker and a cell phone forconnection to the data communication adaptor, which are schematicallyillustrated in plan view.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating the transmitting operation ofmeasurement data.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a prior art data communication adaptorillustrated together with a cell phone and a blood glucose level checkerfor connection to the adaptor.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a data communication adaptor 1 is anapparatus to input data into a cell phone 3 (an example of secondinformation processing apparatus) based on data outputted from a BloodGlucose Level checker 2 (an example of first information processingapparatus).

The BGL checker 2 measures the glucose concentration (blood sugar level)in blood using a biosensor (not shown) having a pair of electrodes and areacting portion. Specifically, with the biosensor mounted to theapparatus, blood is introduced to the reacting portion, and theoxidation current is measured by the pair of electrodes for determiningthe glucose concentration in blood based on the oxidation current.

The blood glucose level checker 2 can store a plurality of pieces ofmeasurement data and can store 120 pieces of measurement data at themaximum, for example. However, the blood glucose level checker 2 doesnot have a data transmission function through telecommunication lines.Each piece of the measurement data at least includes information aboutthe time and date of measurement (order of measurement) and informationabout the blood glucose level. Each piece of measurement data isdiscriminated from other pieces of measurement data based on at leasteither of such information.

When the power is turned on by pressing a switch 21, the blood glucoselevel checker 2 determines whether or not a terminal of anotherapparatus is inserted into an output terminal 20. When it is determinedthat a terminal of another apparatus is inserted in the output terminal20, all the data stored in a specific memory region is collectivelyoutputted. The data outputted at that time includes all of themeasurement data stored and the Serial Number of the blood glucose levelchecker 2.

The cell phone 3, which has a data communication function throughtelecommunication lines, can transmit data to an intended informationprocessing terminal by access to a homepage or by an e-mail, forexample.

The data communication adaptor 1 includes a first terminal 4, a secondterminal 5 and an adaptor body 6. In use, the first terminal 4 isconnected to the output terminal 20 of the blood glucose level checker2, whereas the second terminal 5 is connected to an input terminal 30 ofthe cell phone 3.

The first terminal 4, which comprises a so-called pin jack (pin maleterminal), includes a conductor pin 40 and a protector 41. The firstterminal 4 is connected to the adaptor body 6 via a flexible cable 42.The adaptor body 6 incorporates an electric circuit (not shown) forrealizing various means, which will be described later. The electriccircuit is electrically connected to the first terminal 4 via the cable42. Thus, output from the blood glucose level checker 2 is inputted intothe electric circuit through the first terminal 4 and the cable 42.

The second terminal 5, which comprises a multielectrode connector, isconnected to the adaptor body 6 and hence to the electric circuit. Thus,output from the data communication adaptor 1 is inputted into the cellphone 3 through the second terminal 5.

The adaptor body 6 is provided with a press button 60, an indicationlamp 61 and a storage section 62.

The press button 60 is used to instruct transmission of measurementdata. By varying the time period for pressing the press button 60 forexample, it is possible to instruct transmission of only the measurementdata selected by a selector 66, which will be described later, or toinstruct transmission of all the data inputted from the blood glucoselevel checker 2 (See FIG. 6). The press button 60 may function as anoperation portion for turning on and off the power.

By varying the lighting cycle of the indication lamp 61 for example, theindication lamp 61 can indicate whether the current state is a mode fortransmitting the selected measurement data only or a mode fortransmitting all the measurement data.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the storage section 62 includes a mainaccommodating portion 62A, and an inserting portion 62B connected to afirst end of the main accommodating portion 62A. The main accommodatingportion 62A accommodates the protector 41 of the first terminal 4 andthe cable 42, whereas the inserting portion 62B accommodates theconductor pin 40 of the first terminal 4.

The main accommodating portion 62A, which extends along the periphery ofthe adaptor body 6, has a length corresponding to the total length ofthe cable 42 and the protector 41 of the first terminal 4. The mainaccommodating portion 62A, which comprises a groove, has a second end towhich the cable 42 is connected. The groove includes a first opening 62a and a second opening 62 b which are open in an outward directionperpendicular to the thickness of the adaptor body 6.

The first opening 62 a has a width corresponding to the diameter of thecable 42. The second opening 62 b has a width which is larger than thatof the first opening 62 a and which corresponds to the diameter of theprotector 41. Therefore, the protector 41 can be easily inserted in thefirst end of the main accommodating portion 62A.

Since the storage section 62 has the above-described structure, thefirst terminal 4 can be easily accommodated in the storage section 62 bythe insertion through the second opening 62 b while inserting theconductor pin 40 into the inserting portion 62B. At that time, the cable42 is accommodated in the main accommodating portion 62A by flexingalong the periphery of the adaptor main body 6.

The inserting portion 62B has an inner surface provided with a conductorportion 62 c. When the conductor pin 40 is inserted into the insertingportion 62B, the conductor pin 40 comes into contact with the conductorportion 62 c.

When the conductor pin 40 is accommodated in the inserting portion 62B,the data communication adaptor 1 is not connected to the blood glucoselevel checker 2. Therefore, the power to the data communication adaptormay be automatically turned off when the insertion of the conductor pin40 into the inserting portion 62B, i.e. the contact between theconductor portion 62 c and the conductor pin 40 is detected. Conversely,the power to the data communication adaptor 1 may be automaticallyturned on when disengagement of the conductor pin 40 from the conductorportion 62 c, i.e. the pulling of the conductor pin 40 out of theinserting portion 62B is detected. These structures can be realized byinstalling, in a ROM for example, a program for turning on/off the powerin accordance with the contact/non-contact between the conductor portion62 c and the conductor pin 40.

When the data communication adaptor 1 is not used, the conductor pin 40can be accommodated in the inserting portion 62B, whereas the protector41 and the cable 42 can be accommodated in the main accommodatingportion 62A. In this state, the cable 42 and the first terminal 4 do notprotrude out from the adaptor body 6, which is convenient for carryingand storing. Further, the insertion of the conductor pin 40 into theinserting portion 62B prevents dust from adhering to the conductor pinwhen it is not used. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce thepossibility that the first terminal 4 carrying dust adhered thereto isinserted into the output terminal 20 of the blood glucose level checker2. Therefore, the breakage of the electric circuit of the blood glucoselevel checker 2 is prevented.

In the data communication adaptor in this embodiment, only the firstterminal is connected to the adaptor body via a cable. However, theabove-described advantages by the provision of the storage section canbe obtained provided that at least one of the first and the secondterminals is connected to the adaptor main body via a cable. Further,the configuration of the storage section may be varied in many ways.

Next, the function and the measurement data transmitting operation ofthe data communication adaptor 1 will be described with reference toFIGS. 6 and 7.

As shown in FIG. 6, the data communication adaptor 1 includes a datainputting unit 63, a data outputting unit 64 and various kinds of meansrealized by the electric circuit. The data inputting unit 63 functionsto input an output from the blood glucose level checker 2 to theelectric circuit and includes the first terminal 4 (See FIG. 2). Thedata outputting unit functions to input an output from the electriccircuit to the cell phone 3 and includes the second terminal 5 (See FIG.2).

The data communication adaptor 1 further includes a memory 65, aselector 66, an identifying unit 67, a data processor 68 and acontroller 69. As described above, these means are realized by theelectric circuit which may comprise a CPU (MPU), a ROM, a RAM and so on.

The memory 65 stores the serial number of the blood glucose levelchecker 2, a plurality of pieces of measurement data outputted from theblood glucose level checker 2, and measurement data previously outputtedto the cell phone 3, for example. Each piece of the measurement dataincludes information about the time and date of measurement (order ofmeasurement) and information about the blood glucose level. Each of themeasurement data is discriminated (distinguished) from other pieces ofmeasurement data based on at least either of such information(data-discriminating information). The memory 65 further stores the URLof a homepage to be accessed by the cell phone 3, the mail address of arecipient of measurement data, or identification cords corresponding tothese (a registration number, for example).

Based on the data discriminating information, the selector 66 selectsthe data satisfying a particular condition from the plural pieces ofmeasurement data. For example, when the data-discriminating informationrelates to the time and date of measurement or the order of measurement,the selector 66 compares the plural pieces of measurement data with thepreviously outputted measurement data stored in the memory 65 andselects, from the plural pieces of data, the data measured later thanthe previously outputted data. When the data-discriminating informationrelates to a blood glucose level, the selector 66 selects themeasurement data whose value is larger than a predetermined thresholdvalue or the measurement data whose value is smaller than thepredetermined threshold value.

The identifying unit 67 identifies the model (company name, type or thelike) of the cell phone 3 to obtain information about the communicationprotocol of the cell phone 3. Further, when the serial number of theblood glucose level checker 2 is transmitted from the blood glucoselevel checker 2, the identifying unit 67 determines whether or not theserial number has already been stored in the memory 60 and identifiesthe blood glucose level checker 2.

The data processor 68 compresses the measurement data selected by theselector 66 for conversion into the format in accordance with thecommunication protocol of the cell phone 3. The data processor 68 mayhave a function to calculate the average value or the standard deviationor to correct the measurement data when a plurality of data pieces areselected by the selector 66.

The controller 69 performs various instructions and control in executinga program for operating the units 65-68.

With the data communication adaptor 1 having the above-describedstructure, measurement data is outputted to the cell phone 3, and thedata is transmitted to a server by utilizing the communication functionof the cell phone 3 in such a manner as shown in FIG. 7, for example.The measurement data is finally transmitted to a terminal such as acomputer of a medical institution. However, the process of measurementdata transmission by the data communication adaptor 1 is not limited tothat shown in FIG. 7.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the data communication adaptor 1, the controller69 first instructs the identifying unit 67 to identify the model of thecell phone 3 connected to the data communication adaptor 1 (S1).Thereafter, the serial number of the blood glucose level checker 2 andmeasurement data are inputted via the data inputting unit 63 for storagein the memory 65 (S2).

As described above, when the power is turned on, the blood glucose levelchecker 2 determines whether or not the output terminal 20 is connectedto an external apparatus, and when an external apparatus is determinedto be connected, the apparatus outputs the data stored in a specificmemory region. Therefore, when the blood glucose level checker 2 isturned on after the first terminal 4 of the data communication adaptor 1is connected to the output terminal 20 of the blood glucose levelchecker 2, a plurality of pieces of measurement data and the serialnumber are automatically inputted into the data communication adaptor 1.Alternatively, output from the blood glucose level checker 2 may beinputted into the memory 65 of the data communication adaptor 1 when thepress button 60 of the data communication adaptor 1 is pressed.

Subsequently, the controller 69 instructs the identifying unit 67 todetermine whether or not the inputted serial number has already beenstored (recorded) in the memory (S3). If the identifying unit 67determines that the serial number has already been stored (S3:YES), thecontroller 69 instructs the selector 66 to select the latest data piecefrom the plurality of measurement data pieces (S5). The selection of thelatest data is performed by comparing the plurality of measurement datapieces newly inputted into the memory 65 with the measurement datapreviously outputted and already stored in the memory 65 (S4).Specifically, the selector selects the latest measurement data bycomparing information about the time and date of measurement included inthe measurement data.

If the identifying unit 67 determines that the serial number has notbeen already stored (S3:NO), the controller 69 instructs the memory 65to store (newly record) the serial number (S6) and instruct the selector66 to select all of the inputted measurement data (S7).

Subsequently, the controller 69 instructs the data processor 68 tocompress all of the selected measurement data and convert the compressedbinary data into data with an appropriate format corresponding to thetype of the cell phone 3 (S8). It is to be noted that the identificationof the model of the cell phone 3 connected to the data communicationadaptor 1 may be performed immediately before the data processing isperformed by the data processor 68, instead of performing in S1. When aplurality of measurement data pieces are selected, the data compressionand the like may be performed after the average value or the standarddeviation is calculated or the measurement data is corrected.

Subsequently, the controller 69 checks whether or not transmission ofmeasurement data is requested (S9). In the case of the datacommunication adaptor 1 which transmits data when the press button 60 ispressed, whether or not the data transmission is requested is determinedby whether or not the press button 60 is pressed. In the case of a datacommunication adaptor which takes measurement data from the bloodglucose level checker 2 when the press button 60 is pressed, thepressing operation of the press button may be regarded as a request fordata transmission. In the case where the request for data transmissionis performed by key input by the cell phone 3, the key input is regardedas a request for data transmission.

When the controller 69 determines that the data transmission is notrequested, the controller continuously checks the request fortransmission until it is made (S9:YES). If the controller 69 confirmsthat the request for data transmission is made (S9:YES), the measurementdata is transmitted to a homepage established by the recipient of themeasurement data (e.g. a medical institution) (S10).

The measurement data transmitted to the homepage is transferred to theserver (S11). Alternatively, the measurement data may be transmitted tothe terminal of the recipient such as a medical institution by an e-mailwithout going through the homepage.

For accessing to the homepage or sending an e-mail for transmitting themeasurement data, the URL or mail address stored in the memory 65 may beautomatically inputted into the cell phone 3 by the operation of thecontroller 69, for example. Alternatively, by the operation of thecontroller 69, an identification code associated with the URL or mailaddress stored in the memory 65 is inputted into the cell phone 3 sothat the one corresponding to the identification code is selected from aplurality of URLs or addresses recorded in the address book of the cellphone 3 for transmitting the measurement data. By designating therecipient of the data in the above-described manner, it is possible toeliminate the work for inputting the recipient as well as erroneoustransmission due to the erroneous inputting of the recipient.

On the other hand, the recipient of the measurement data updates themeasurement data corresponding to the serial number (S12). When theterminal (personal computer) itself of the recipient is the server, theupdating of the measurement data is performed by updating themeasurement data stored in the server. When the terminal of therecipient is not the server, the updating of the measurement data isperformed by taking the measurement data from the server.

The recipient, if it is a medical institution, analyzes and manages theblood glucose level of the sender (a diabetic or a person who wishes theblood glucose level analysis, for example) identified by the serialnumber and notifies the sender of the analysis result from a medicalstandpoint or advises the sender on the lifestyle, as required. Suchnotification and advice can also be sent through an e-mail. Therefore,the diabetic or the like can control the blood glucose level under thedirection of a professional such as a doctor without the need forfrequently visiting the medical institution.

The above-described data communication adaptor 1 can select and transmitonly the data whose measurement time and date is later than that of themeasurement data previously outputted instead of outputting all themeasurement data inputted from the blood glucose level checker 2 to thecell phone. Therefore, the amount of data transmitted to the cell phone3 can be reduced, which leads to the reduction of the communication timeas well as the reduction of the communication cost.

Moreover, since the measurement data is processed after the model of thecell phone 3 is identified, the data communication adaptor is applicablefor cell phones of various communication protocols. The presentinvention is also applicable to data transmission through wirecommunication using a fixed telephone apparatus connected to a terminalsuch as a personal computer. Further, the above-described datacommunication adaptor can be utilized also for data transfer betweeninformation processing apparatuses other than between a blood glucoselevel checker and a cell phone.

In this embodiment, a blood glucose level checker is described as anexample of first information processing apparatus, whereas a cell phoneis described as an example of second information processing apparatus.However, the first and the second information processing apparatuses towhich the data communication adaptor of the present invention isapplicable are not limited to those. For example, the first informationprocessing apparatus may be a cell phone, whereas the second informationprocessing apparatus may be a blood glucose level checker. One of thefirst and the second information processing apparatuses may be acommunication terminal other than a cell phone capable of transmittingdata through telecommunications, which may be a PDA having acommunication function, for example. In that case, the other one of theinformation processing apparatuses may be a concentration measuringapparatus other than a blood glucose level checker, which may be anapparatus for performing measurement of a blood cholesterol level ormeasurement for a biochemical sample other than blood, for example.

1. A data communication adaptor provided with a data inputting unit for inputting data from a first information processing apparatus and a data outputting unit for outputting data to a second information processing apparatus, the adaptor further comprising: a memory for storing a plurality of pieces of data inputted through the data inputting unit; a selector for selecting data satisfying a particular condition from the pieces of data stored in the memory; and a controller for controlling the outputting of data through the data outputting unit; wherein the second information processing apparatus includes a data transmitter for transmitting data to a third information processing apparatus; wherein the memory stores identifying information for identifying the third information processing apparatus to which the data is transmitted; and wherein the controller instructs the data transmitter to determine the third information processing apparatus corresponding to the identifying information and to transmit the data to the third information processing apparatus when the data from the first information processing apparatus is inputted through the data inputting unit.
 2. The data communication adaptor according to claim 1, wherein each of the pieces of data includes data-discriminating information for discrimination from other pieces of the data; and wherein the selector determines, based on the data-discriminating information, whether or not the particular condition is satisfied.
 3. The data communication adaptor according to claim 2, wherein the first information processing apparatus is a concentration measuring apparatus for measuring concentration of a particular component in a biological sample, the apparatus being capable of storing a plurality of pieces of measurement data and collectively outputting the pieces of measurement data to outside.
 4. The data communication adaptor according to claim 3, wherein the data-discriminating information is information specifying time and date of measurement or order of measurement; and wherein the particular condition is that the time and date of measurement are later than those of measurement data previously outputted to the second information processing apparatus.
 5. The data communication adaptor according to claim 3, wherein the data-discriminating information is a measurement value; and wherein the particular condition is that the measurement value is greater than a predetermined threshold value or smaller than the predetermined threshold value.
 6. The data communication adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the second information processing apparatus is capable of transmitting data to a plurality of third information processing apparatuses and stores addresses of the respective third information processing apparatuses; and wherein the controller instructs the data transmitter to select the address corresponding to the identifying information and to transmit the data to the third information processing apparatus corresponding to the selected address.
 7. The data communication adaptor according to claim 6, further comprising a data processor for converting a data format to one appropriate for the third data processing apparatus determined by the controller.
 8. The data communication adaptor according to claim 1, further comprising an identifying unit for identifying the first information processing apparatus based on individual information that is allocated to the first information processing apparatus and outputted from the first information processing apparatus.
 9. The data communication adaptor according to claim 8, wherein the memory is capable of storing a plurality of pieces of individual information; and wherein the identifying unit compares the individual information outputted from the first information processing apparatus with the pieces of individual information stored in the memory to identify the first information processing apparatus based on the comparison.
 10. The data communication adaptor according to claim 9, wherein the controller instructs the memory to store the individual information outputted from the first information processing apparatus when the identifying unit determines that the individual information outputted from the first information processing apparatus is not included in the pieces of individual information stored in the memory.
 11. The data communication adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the first information processing apparatus is a portable apparatus for measuring glucose concentration in blood.
 12. The data communication adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the second information processing apparatus is a portable communication terminal for transmitting data through a communication line.
 13. A data communication adaptor for interconnecting a first information processing apparatus and a second information processing apparatus for inputting data into the second information processing apparatus based on data from the first information processing apparatus, the adaptor comprising an adaptor body, a first terminal for connection to the first information processing apparatus and a second terminal for connection to the second information processing apparatus, wherein at least one of the first terminal and the second terminal is connected to a cable and further to the adaptor body; wherein the adaptor body includes a storage section for accommodating the terminal connected to the cable; wherein the terminal connected to the cable includes a conductor pin; wherein the storage section includes an inserting portion into which the conductor pin is inserted; wherein the adaptor body also includes a detector for detecting whether or not the conductor pin is inserted into the inserting portion; and wherein power to the adaptor is automatically turned off when the detector detects that the conductor pin is inserted into the inserting portion.
 14. The data communication adaptor according to claim 13, wherein the storage section is provided at a periphery of the adaptor body and includes a groove for accommodating the cable.
 15. The data communication adaptor according to claim 13, wherein the detector also detects whether or not the conductor pin is pulled out of the inserting portion, wherein power to the adaptor is automatically turned on when the detector detects that the conductor pin is pulled out of the inserting portion.
 16. The data communication adaptor according to claim 13, wherein the terminal connected to the cable has a connecting portion to the cable, the connecting portion being covered with a protector having a sectional area larger than that of the cable, and wherein the storage section includes a first opening having a width corresponding to a sectional configuration of the cable and a second opening having a width larger than that of the first opening and corresponding to a sectional configuration of the protector. 